Speaker Series: Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, "Tracing Lineages: Unearthing the Descendants of UVAs Builders"

An avid genealogist for over 30 years, Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, aka "familytreegirl," was born and raised in Michigan, now living in central Virginia. She conducts genealogy workshops at local, state, and national conferences. Murphy is known for her inspiring & interactive "SO WHAT" with genealogical research, along with interesting problem-solving methodology lectures such as the use of Timelines.

Murphy serves on the Boards of the Library of Virginia and the Albemarle Charlottesville and Fluvanna Historical Societies. Murphy is also the Coordinator and Instructor and the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) and develops staff and public genealogy educational programs for the Center for Family History and the International African American Museum (IAAM). Additionally, she serves as the Genealogist General for the Society of First African Families of English American and Trustee for the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History. She holds membership in AAHGS, NGS, DAR, and local genealogy groups.

She is currently working for the University of Virginia as the Descendant Project Researcher-seeking descendants of the enslaved laborers who helped build the university. An Adjunct Professor at Averett University since 2009. Dr. Murphy's personal research focuses on Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia/West Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the UK.